Treatment of muscular dystrophy with cord blood cells

Abstract

The invention features methods for treating a patient suffering from muscular dystrophy by administration of umbilical cord blood cells, e.g., by IV infusion.

1 . A method for treating a patient suffering from muscular dystrophy comprising injecting human umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells into the muscle of said patient. 
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein prior to said injecting, said UCB cells are treated to increase their number. 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said injecting results in engraftment of UCB cells into said patient's muscle, whereby said engrafted UCB cells express dystrophin and treat said patient by regenerating muscle mass. 
     
     
         8 . A method for treating a patient suffering from muscular dystrophy comprising administering umbilical cord blood (UCB) cells to said patient following bone marrow ablation, wherein said UCB cells reconstitute the immune system of said patient and treat the patient's muscular dystrophy. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said administering comprises injecting said UCB cells into said patient's blood stream. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said administering comprises injecting said UCB cells into said patient's muscle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein prior to said administering said UCB cells are treated to increase their number. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said administering results in engraftment of UCB cells into said patient's muscle, whereby said engrafted UCB cells express dystrophin and treat said patient by regenerating muscle mass. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising culturing said UCB cells in vitro to produce an expanded population of cells and repeatedly administering said expanded population of cells to said patient to treat the patient's muscular dystrophy.